亚硝酸盐和氨对日本沼虾肝胰腺代谢的影响

通过气质联用仪和液质联用仪的非靶向检测,结合主成分分析(PCA)和正交偏最小二乘法-判别分析(OPLS-DA)等方法,对日本沼虾肝胰腺进行代谢物分析,以研究在非致死剂量的亚硝酸盐或氨胁迫下,日本沼虾肝胰腺新陈代谢的变化。经亚硝酸盐(0.5 mg·L~(-1),以N计)胁迫2 d后,鉴定到具有显著差异的代谢化合物46个,涉及氨基酸代谢、脂肪酸代谢和甘油磷脂代谢等; p H=9.0时,氨(1.0 mg·L~(-1),以N计,即非离子氨氮为0.378 mg·L~(-1))胁迫后,鉴定出显著差异性代谢化合物52个,涉及三羧酸循环、氨基酸代谢和甘油磷脂等代谢通路。选择p H=9.0氨(1.0 mg·L~(-1))胁迫组对日本沼虾肝胰腺中的三羧酸循环进行定量验证实验,结果显示,日本沼虾肝胰腺中草酰乙酸含量与对照组相比在12 h显著升高,24 h和48 h后则与对照组无显著差异。α-酮戊二酸含量与对照组相比在12 h即有显著增加,24 h含量与对照组相比显著下降,48 h后与对照组相比无明显差异。推测p H=9.0时氨氮(1.0 mg·L~(-1))胁迫12 h即会对三羧酸循环产生影响。     

典型重金属胁迫对日本沼虾的氧化损伤及交互作用

为深入探讨水体不同浓度重金属联合对水生生物的慢性毒性机制,本研究以日本沼虾(Macrobranchium nipponense)为受试生物,镉(Cd)和铅(Pb)为目标金属,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、金属硫蛋白(MT)和丙二醛(MDA)为测试终点,研究不同浓度的Cd和Pb单一及联合暴露对日本沼虾的氧化损伤及交互作用。实验结果表明:Cd对虾的致死浓度为1 mg·L-1,当其与同浓度Pb联合时,致死毒性增强;在0.01 mg·L-1和0.1 mg·L-1下联合时均表现为拮抗作用。不同处理组对标志物产生不同程度的诱导或抑制效应,其中,SOD活性均受到胁迫抑制,0.1 mg·L-1Cd暴露10 d后对肝胰腺SOD抑制率达53.38%,0.1 mg·L-1Pb暴露10 d后对肌肉SOD抑制率达70.02%;CAT活性整体受胁迫激活,肝胰腺与肌肉CAT活性在时间尺度上呈现相反的变化规律;肝胰腺中MT和MDA对重金属的敏感性要高于肌肉;综合生物标志物响应(IBR)评价表明,机体在时间尺度上可通过酶活性调节而具有一定的解毒功能,但并不能消除重金属引起的氧化损伤,且重金属单一毒性要高于联合毒性,其中Cd对肝胰腺毒性最大,Pb对肌肉毒性最大。研究结果能够为水体重金属生态风险预警、水质基准制定及流域水环境管理提供依据。     

硫化物胁迫对日本沼虾呼吸代谢和能量代谢酶的影响

研究了硫化物暴露后日本沼虾细胞色素氧化酶(CCO)、琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)、延胡索酸还原酶(FRD)和乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)4种呼吸代谢酶及能量代谢酶-精氨酸激酶(AK)活性的变化规律.将日本沼虾暴露于0.6 mg·L~(-1)、2mg·L~(-1)的2个硫化物质量浓度组和不含硫化物的对照组水体中,暴露后0、2、12、24、48 h和解除暴露后48 h取肝胰腺和肌肉组织进行酶活性分析.结果显示:肝胰腺和肌肉组织SDH和CCO活性随硫化物质量浓度升高或暴露时间延长而显著降低(P<0.05).FRD、LDH和AK活性随硫化物质量浓度升高或暴露时间延长而显著升高(P<0.05).解除硫化物暴露后48 h,各质量浓度组酶活性与对照组无显著差异.上述酶活性还存在组织差异,肝胰腺呼吸代谢酶活性高于肌肉中相应酶活性,而AK活性与此相反.结果表明,硫化物胁迫导致日本沼虾有氧呼吸代谢减弱,无氧呼吸代谢增强,并动用其能量贮存物质磷酸精氨酸,产生更多ATP以适应外界不良环境.     

太湖梅梁湾水体微囊藻毒素含量的季节变化特征及其影响因素研究

采用高效液相色谱法对太湖梅梁湾水体中微囊藻毒素的质量浓度进行春、夏、秋、冬4个季节的监测,分析了梅梁湾水体中微囊藻毒素(MC-RR,MC-YR,MC-LR)质量浓度的季节变化特征及其与水体中总氮、总磷、CODMn和浮游藻类等富营养化指标的相关关系。分析结果表明:MCs夏季(8月份)质量浓度最高,为(0.78±0.99)μg.L-1,其次为春季(5月份)和秋季(11月份),分别为(0.43±0.96)和(0.50±1.12)μg.L-1,冬季(2月份)质量浓度显著降低,为(0.14±0.27)μg.L-1;水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与常规水化学指标之间相关性分析表明:MC-LR的质量浓度与TP的质量浓度呈极显著正相关与TN/TP呈极显著负相关(P<0.01),与CODMn呈显著正相关(P<0.05);水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与浮游藻类生物量相关性分析表明:水体中MCs的检出质量浓度与微囊藻及蓝藻生物量有显著相关关系,太湖梅梁湾的藻毒素主要由微囊藻属(Microcystis)产生。     

铅和得克隆联合暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用

以斑马鱼(Danio rerio)为研究对象,探讨铅(Pb)、得克隆(DP)及二者联合急性暴露对斑马鱼胚胎的神经毒性作用。结果表明,Pb(5、20μg·L~(-1))和DP(15、60μg·L~(-1))单独暴露均会引起斑马鱼自主运动频率增加,触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力下降,并且抑制初级运动神经元的生长,加剧尾部细胞凋亡。但与20μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,高剂量联合暴露(20μg·L~(-1)Pb+60μg·L~(-1)DP)使斑马鱼的自主运动频率显著降低(P0.05),触摸反应能力和自由游泳活力显著增强(P0.05),初级运动神经元轴突长度显著增加(P0.05),尾部细胞凋亡减少。与5μg·L~(-1)Pb单独暴露相比,低剂量联合暴露(5μg·L~(-1)Pb+15μg·L~(-1)DP)也显著减少斑马鱼尾部的细胞凋亡(P0.05)。上述结果表明,Pb或DP单独暴露对斑马鱼均可引起神经毒性作用;但二者联合暴露对斑马鱼自主运动、触摸反应以及自由游泳活力的影响则表现为拮抗作用。     

藻毒素降解菌CQ5对MC-LR粗提液的降解动力学

针对近年来采用微生物法降解水体中的微囊藻毒素(microcystins,MCs)这一研究热点问题,以本课题组前期从太湖芦苇荡底泥中筛出的耐硼赖氨酸芽孢杆菌CQ5(Lysinibacillus boronitolerans)为考察对象,研究微生物对MC-LR的降解动力学.分别采用Logistic生长方程和Monod动力学方程构建菌株CQ5细胞生长动力学模型和MC-LR降解动力学模型.结果表明,菌株CQ5在以MC-LR粗提液为碳、氮源的无机盐培养基中的生长曲线符合Logistic生长模型,其中菌株生长环境承载量K为1.306,菌株生长平均速率r为0.1685,无量纲参数a为1.688;该菌株在6 d内可使MC-LR的浓度由14.12μg·L~(-1)降至1.57μg·L~(-1),降解率达88.86%,其一级反应速率常数k为0.3698,半衰期t_(1/2)为1.88 d;该降解过程中MC-LR浓度、菌株细胞密度和MC-LR降解速率3者间的偶合关系符合低浓度下的Monod模型,其中υ_max/K_s为0.342;一级反应动力学方程式S=e~(2.648-0.3698t)和Monod模型方程式S=14.12e~(-0.342Nt)(N=1.08)均可模拟预测降解体系中的MC-LR浓度,二者的模拟结果高度一致.本文可为研究微生物降解MC-LR的机理和推动MC-LR降解菌的工程应用提供理论参考.     

镉胁迫对水稻生长发育的影响及伤流液与稻米镉含量的相关性研究

立足于我国水稻受镉污染的实际情况,研究镉胁迫对水稻生长发育的影响,并探讨伤流液镉含量与稻米镉含量之间的关系,为镉污染地区稻米安全生产提供数据支持和科学指导。采用营养液培育试验方法,选择中嘉早17和泰优390两个水稻品种,设置CK(0μg·L~(-1))、Cd10(10μg·L~(-1))、Cd50(50μg·L~(-1))、Cd200(200μg·L~(-1))、Cd500(500μg·L~(-1))和Cd1000(1 000μg·L~(-1)) 6个Cd浓度处理,分析不同浓度镉胁迫对水稻生长发育的影响以及各部位镉含量与糙米镉含量的相关性。结果表明,与CK相比,ρ(Cd)≤10μg·L~(-1)处理对水稻生长有促进作用,但未达显著水平(P0. 05),当ρ(Cd)10μg·L~(-1)时有抑制作用,Cd浓度越高,抑制作用越明显。水稻各部位镉含量随着镉胁迫浓度的增大而增大,伤流液中镉含量增加幅度与各部位变化趋于一致。伤流液镉含量与糙米镉含量之间存在极显著正相关(P0. 01),且在分蘖期伤流液镉含量能较好地用于预测水稻镉毒害程度。     

杀虫剂三唑磷在室内淡水微宇宙中的生态效应

作为一种中等毒性的有机磷杀虫剂,三唑磷在稻区的使用十分普遍。为弄清其对淡水生态系统的影响,选择5组浓度(0、0.35、1.75、17.5、52.5μg·L~(-1)),在以藻类作为营养源的室内微宇宙系统内进行研究,采用多变量分析软件CANOCO 5对数据进行分析。非限制性排序和多重比较的结果表明,给药后0~6 d,三唑磷对于浮游动物群落的最高无作用浓度(NOEC_(community))和最低有效浓度(LOEC_(community))分别为17.5μg·L~(-1)和52.5μg·L~(-1)。给药后第9天,最高浓度组(52.5μg·L~(-1))的群落结构开始恢复,此刻三唑磷在水中的实测浓度平均值为4.35μg·L~(-1)。对于单个物种种群密度做差异显著性分析和多重比较,结果显示浮游动物当中受影响最大的是绿色湖湾介Strandesia viridis。给药30 d后,该物种在52.5μg·L~(-1)处理组的种群密度明显下降,历时57 d的试验结束时,种群密度仍未恢复到对照水平。对于藻类,非限制性排序和多重比较的结果显示三唑磷在群落层次的影响未达到能够明显区分NOEC_(community)和LOEC_(community)的程度。在单物种层面,在给药后9~12 d,三唑磷对单细胞的羊角月牙藻Selenastrum capricornutum种群有刺激作用。其NOECspecies和LOECspecies分别为1.75μg·L~(-1)和17.5μg·L~(-1)。没有迹象表明三唑磷的引入能够明显改变水体pH、电导、浊度和水体C循环状况。结合暴露评估软件GNEEC(Version 2.0)输出的环境浓度(峰值为2.44μg·L~(-1)),本研究结果显示三唑磷在正常使用剂量下有可能对稻田周边浮游动物群落的内部结构造成扰动,但是它不会对整个系统造成不可恢复的影响。     

江苏典型中华绒螯蟹养殖区抗生素污染特征与生态风险评估

为评价江苏典型中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)养殖区抗生素污染水平和生态风险,利用超高效液相色谱-串联质谱仪(UPLC-MS/MS)分别检测了江苏高淳和金坛4个中华绒螯蟹养殖塘水体和沉积物中大环内酯类、四环素类、β-内酰胺类、喹诺酮类和磺胺类5类抗生素水平。结果表明:研究区中华绒螯蟹养殖水体中均存在一定程度的抗生素污染。高淳养殖水体中污染物主要为喹诺酮类、四环素类和大环内酯类抗生素,而金坛养殖水体中5类抗生素分布均匀。4个养殖塘中,养殖塘GC2水体中抗生素检出浓度最高,主要包括盐酸金霉素(241.99 ng·L~(-1))、螺旋霉素(198.53 ng·L~(-1))、环丙沙星(168.81 ng·L~(-1))、沙拉沙星(165.40 ng·L~(-1))、诺氟沙星(126.17 ng·L~(-1))、恩诺沙星(117.42 ng·L~(-1))和依诺沙星(103.08 ng·L~(-1));而沉积物中抗生素含量均较低。水体抗生素浓度与对应的水质指标的相关性分析结果显示,水体克林霉素、强力霉素和青霉素G钠盐浓度与COD_(Mn)呈显著相关。采用风险商值法对水体残留抗生素进行风险评估,结果表明江苏高淳和金坛中华绒螯蟹养殖环境中残留抗生素具有一定的生态风险,尤其是养殖塘GC2水体中大环内酯类和喹诺酮类抗生素对相应敏感物种的风险较高,直接影响藻类等浮游植物的生长。建议控制该类抗生素在养殖过程中的使用,以降低生态风险。     

典型重金属胁迫对日本沼虾的氧化损伤及交互作用

为深入探讨水体不同浓度重金属联合暴露对水生生物的慢性毒性机理,本研究以日本沼虾(Macrobranchium nipponense)为受试生物,镉(Cd)和铅(Pb)为目标金属,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、金属硫蛋白(MT)和丙二醛(MDA)为测试终点,研究不同浓度的Cd和Pb单一及联合暴露对日本沼虾的氧化损伤及交互作用。实验结果表明：Cd对虾的致死浓度为1 mg?L-1,当其与同浓度Pb联合时,致死毒性增强;在0.01 mg?L-1和0.1 mg?L-1下联合时均表现为拮抗作用。不同处理组对标志物产生不同程度的诱导或抑制效应,其中,SOD活性均受到胁迫抑制,0.1 mg?L-1Cd暴露10 d后对肝胰腺SOD抑制率达53.38%,0.1 mg?L-1Pb暴露10 d后对肌肉SOD抑制率达70.02%;CAT活性整体受胁迫激活,肝胰腺与肌肉CAT活性在时间尺度上呈现相反的变化规律;肝胰腺中MT和MDA对重金属的敏感性要高于肌肉;综合生物标志物响应(IBR)评价表明,机体在时间尺度上可通过酶活性调节而具有一定的解毒功能,但并不能消除重金属引起的氧化损伤,且重金属单一毒性要高于联合毒性,其中Cd对肝胰腺毒性最大,Pb对肌肉毒性最大。研究结果能够为水体重金属生态风险预警、水质基准制定及流域水环境管理提供依据。? 关键词：日本沼虾;重金属;氧化损伤;交互作用;分子标志物     

Diet-induced chemical phytomimesis by twig-like caterpillars of Biston robustum Butler (Lepidoptera: Geometridae)

Summary. Polyphagous caterpillars of the giant geometer Biston robustum resemble the twigs of their respective food sources in color and shape. Common predatory ants, including Lasius and Formica, were often observed to freely prowl directly on caterpillars bodies, even after antennal contact. This suggests that the cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resemble those of the twigs of the foodplants, so we analyzed both by GC and GC-MS. The chemical compositions differed among caterpillars fed on a cherry, Prunus yedoensis, a chinquapin Castanopsis cuspidata, and a camellia Camellia japonica. The cuticular chemicals of the caterpillars resembled those of their corresponding food sources. When the caterpillar diets were switched from the cherry to camellia or chinquapin at the 4^th instars, the caterpillars cuticular chemicals changed after molting to resemble those of their respective foods. Caterpillars also changed their cuticular chemicals when they perched on cherry twigs and fed on camellia or chinquapin leaves, but not when they perched on camellia or chinquapin twigs and fed on cherry leaves. The chemical similarities between the caterpillars and the twigs were due to the digestion of host leaves, which indicates that this is a diet-induced adaptation.     

Antennal responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) to volatiles collected from beetles,and their host and nonhost conifers

Summary. Host selection in tree-killing bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) is mediated by a complex of semiochemical cues. Using gas chromatographic-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) and GC-mass spectrometric analyses, we conducted a comparative study of the electrophysiological responses of four species of tree-killing bark beetles, the Douglas-fir beetle, Dendroctonus pseudotsugae, Hopkins, the mountain pine beetle, D. ponderosae Hopkins, the spruce beetle, D. rufipennis Kirby, and the western balsam bark beetle, Dryocoetes confusus Swaine, to volatiles captured by aeration of 1) bole and foliage of four sympatric species of conifers, Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, lodgepole pine, Pinus contorta var. latifolia Engelm., interior spruce, Picea engelmannii x glauca, and interior fir, Abies lasiocarpa x bifolia, and 2) con- and heterospecific beetles at three stages of attack. We identified 13 monoterpenes in the conifers and nine compounds in the volatiles of beetles that elicited antennal responses. There was no qualitative difference in the terpene constitution of the four species of conifers and very little difference across beetle species in their antennal response to compounds from conifers or beetles. The lack of species-specific major or minor components in conifers suggests that beetles would need to detect differences in the ratios of different compounds in conifers to discriminate among them. Attraction to hosts and avoidance of nonhost conifers may be accentuated by perception of compounds emitted by con- and heterospecific beetles, respectively. The 22 compounds identified are candidate semiochemicals with potential behavioural roles in host location and discrimination.     

Some polyphagous Homoptera gain protection from their natural enemies by feeding on the toxic plantsSpartium junceum andErythrina corallodendrum (Leguminosae)

Summary Interactions were studied among alkaloid-containing legumes (Erythrina corallodendrum andSpartium junceum) and non-toxic plants (Citrus sinensis, Cucurbita moschata andEuphorbia tirucalli), several polyphagous homopterans,Aphis craccivora (Aphididae),Icerya purchasi, I. aegyptiaca (Margarodidae),Lepidosaphes ulmi (Diaspididae) andPlanococcus citri (Pseudococcidae), and some major natural enemies of these homopterans. Significant reductions in survival due to negative effects of alkaloid containing as compared with non-alkaloidal plants were recorded for the predatorsRodolia cardinalis andChilocorus bipustulatus, but not forCryptolaemus montrouzieri (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae),Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) andSympherobius sanctus (Neuroptera: Sympherobiidae). The development time of the larvae or pupae ofR. cardinalis, C. carnea andS. sanctus was longer on the toxic plants than on the non-toxic ones. The percentage of parasitism ofA. craccivora collected from the non-alkaloidal plantsVicia palaestina andMelilotus albus was much higher than that onS. junceum. The parasitoid complexes ofA. craccivora differed between both plant groups. The nutritive value of honeydew ofI. purchasi andA. craccivora, as expressed by the life span ofEncyrtus infelix (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) adults, was also investigated. Life spans were significantly longer when the wasps fed on honeydew produced on non-alkaloidal plants (C. sinensis andPittosporum tobira) than on alkaloid containing plants whenI. purchasi — but notA. craccivora — was the producer. It is suggested that the chemical defense ofE. corallodendrum andS. junceum is exploited by polyphagous phytophages to reduce predation. In nature, population growth and density of four of the investigated homopterans are conspicuously high when they developed on the alkaloid containing plant species, and very low on non-alkaloid plants. The efficiency of their natural enemies may be reduced by sequestration of alkaloids (or other toxic plant compounds) or their transfer into excreted honeydew. Therefore it is assumed that a generalist phytophagous homopteran may be protected from its natural enemies, although at different rates of efficiency, if it can safely sequester the host allelochemical when it develops on toxic species within its host range.     

Benthic macrophyte communities in the Ghar El Melh lagoon (North Tunisia)

This work deals with the biodiversity and distribution of benthic macrophytes in the Ghar El Melh lagoon, a Mediterranean coastal lagoon located in the North of Tunisia. An inventory was made of the benthic flora and submerged macrophyte communities were mapped during two successive campaigns (the summer of 1999 and the winter of 2000). The following 24 macrophyte species were identified: seven red algae, two brown algae, 11 green algae, and four marine angiosperms. The results were compared with available data from the literature. Ruppia cirrhosa is the most dominant species. It is found in all lagoon parts, except in the west sector.Ruppia beds are usually associated withCladophora forming heterogeneous communities. During summerRuppia cirrhosa shows a large distribution, covering an area of ca. 21.4 km², with dense, extensive beds covering 80–100%. In winter, severalCladophora species have a very large distribution as well, covering nearly an area of 28.5 km² with an average cover of 46%. The green algaeCaulerpa prolifera is confined to the eastern part of the lagoon which is mainly affected by seawater. In comparison with previous situations, many transformations were observed in biodiversity and spatial distribution of the dominant communities. Thus,Cymodocea nodosa andZostera beds, which dominated in the 1970s, were replaced byZostera andCaulerpa prolifera in the 1980s and are currently succeeded byRuppia cirrhosa andCladophora. Restoration of the Ghar El Melh lagoon will enable an increase in the exchange with the open sea and the circulation of water, in particular in the confined zones. This should considerably improve the water quality and would positively influence the phytobenthic communities.     

Comparison of the insecticidal effects of water extracted and intact aromatic plants onAcanthoscelides obtectus,a bruchid beetle pest of kidney beans

Summary Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) is one of the most damaging pests of kidney beans,Phaseolus vulgaris L. worldwide. However, aromatic plants from the families Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Myrtaceae and Poaceae can protect kidney beans by direct or delayed insecticidal effect, through increased adult mortality and inhibition of beetle reproduction (both oviposition and adult emergence). The efficiency of hydrodistillated and intact plants fromThymus vulgaris andT. serpyllum, Mentha piperata, Rosmarinus officinalis, Satureia hortensis, Eucalyptus globulus, Laurus nobilis, Origanum vulgare, andCymbopogon nardus was compared. For both extracts,Origanum vulgare had the best effect. The insecticidal effect was induced by more than the essential oils because no significant difference was noticed between distilled and intact plants extract. Inhibition of reproduction was particularly important. These results suggest that lipidic as well as non lipidic, allelochemicals, such as phenolics, or non-protein amino-acids, or flavonoids may be involved in the toxicity of aromatic plants to this beetle.     

Absolute configuration of the major sex pheromone component of the satin moth, Leucoma salicis, verified by field trapping test in Hungary

Summary. Male satin moths, Leucoma (Stilpnotia) salicis L. (Lepidoptera, Lymantriidae) were attracted only to (3Z,6R,7S,9R,10S)-isomer out of the four (3Z)-cis-6,7-cis-9,10-diepoxy-3-henicosenes (leucomalure). This was demonstrated by field trapping test with a bivoltine population in a mixed poplar-willow forest along the flood area of the river Danube at Adony, Hungary.     

Increase of multi-metal tolerance of three leguminous plants by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization

A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of the colonization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Glomus mosseae on the growth and metal uptake of three leguminous plants (Sesbania rostrata, Sesbania cannabina, Medicago sativa) grown in multi-metal contaminated soil. AMF colonization increased the growth of the legumes, indicating that AMF colonization increased the plant’s resistance to heavy metals. It also significantly stimulated the formation of root nodules and increased the N and P uptake of all of the tested leguminous plants, which might be one of the tolerance mechanisms conferred by AMF. Compared with the control, colonization by G. mosseae decreased the concentration of metals, such as Cu, in the shoots of the three legumes, indicating that the decreased heavy metals uptake and growth dilution were induced by AMF treatment, thereby reducing the heavy metal toxicity to the plants. The root/shoot ratios of Cu in the three legumes and Zn in M. sativa were significantly increased (P < 0.05) with AMF colonization, indicating that heavy metals were immobilized by the mycorrhiza and the heavy metal translocations to the shoot were decreased.     

Main nutrient compounds in food bodies of Mexican <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia</Emphasis> ant-plants

Summary. Myrmecophytic plants use obligate ant mutualists as a constitutive indirect defence mechanism. These plants often produce cellular food bodies (FBs) to nourish their resident ants. Lipids, proteins, and even highly specialised compounds such as glycogen have been reported from FBs, but detailed chemical analyses of FB composition have so far been presented only for Southeast Asian Macaranga and Central American Piper myrmecophytes. Here we report the chemical composition of FBs of five myrmecophytic Acacia (Fabaceae) species from Mexico using HPLC (carbohydrates and proteins) and GC-MS (lipids). Feeding experiments revealed no hints on any use of external food sources by the inhabiting Pseudomyrmex ants. These ants obviously rely completely on FBs and extrafloral nectar provided by their hosts. The total content of nutrients in Acacia FBs was 15-25% of FB dry mass, being much lower than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Proteins were dominating (8-14 % dm) in Acacia FBs and thus were present in higher amounts than in Macaranga FBs, yet in lower amounts than in Piper. Lipids contributed 1-9 % of dry mass, showing a lower proportion than in FBs of Macaranga or Piper. Carbohydrates made up 3-11 % dm, reaching in most Acacia species the same range as observed in Macaranga and in Piper FBs. Water content was 18-24 % of FB fresh mass, and structural tissue obviously made up a much higher proportion in Acacia FBs than in Macaranga or Piper FBs. Both characters might represent an adaptation to producing FBs unprotected at the leaf tips under dry conditions. Acacia FBs contain all amino acids and all fatty acids that are considered essential for insects, and their contents of lipids and proteins are higher than in the leaves from which they are ontogenetically derived. This indicates a putatively adaptive enrichment of nutritionally valuable compounds in structures functioning as ant-food.     

Toxicity assays of ladybirds using natural predators

Nestling blue titsParus caeruleus L. were given diets containing homogenized ladybirds, to assess the effects of their chemical defences. The 2spot, 10spot and water ladybirds produced no apparent toxic effects when small numbers were given at regular intervals.The pine and kidney-spot ladybirds slightly inhibit growth and may be toxic to very young nestlings. The Water ladybird is extremely distasteful to this predator, despite its lack of toxicity. The results are discussed with reference to the proposed Müllerian and Batesian mimetic relationships between the ladybird species.     

Net energetic advantage drives honey bees (Apis mellifera L) to nectar larceny in Vaccinium ashei Reade

Carpenter bees (Xylocopa spp.) act as primary nectar thieves in rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade), piercing corollas laterally to imbibe nectar at basal nectaries. Honey bees (Apis mellifera L) learn to visit these perforations and thus become secondary nectar thieves. We tested the hypothesis that honey bees make this behavioral switch in response to an energetic advantage realized by nectar-robbing flower visits. Nectar volume and sugar quantity were higher in intact than perforated flowers, but bees (robbers) visiting perforated flowers were able to extract a higher percentage of available nectar and sugar so that absolute amount of sugar (mg) removed by one bee visit is the same for each flower type. However, because perforated flowers facilitate higher rates of bee flower visitation and the same or higher rates of nectar ingestion, they are rendered more profitable than intact flowers in temporal terms. Accordingly, net energy (J) gain per second flower handling time was higher for robbers on most days sampled. We conclude that the majority evidence indicates an energetic advantage for honey bees that engage in secondary nectar thievery in V. ashei.Communicated by R. Page